South Florida high schools are in the midst of a grueling sports season, and the region’s soaring temperatures are turning practice fields and cross‑country trails into potential health hazards. Pediatric physician Dr. Sara Tano, who works with youth athletes, is urging parents, coaches and school officials to prioritize hydration and heat‑safety measures before, during and after every workout.
Hydration starts before the whistle
According to Dr. Tano, the most effective defense against heat‑related illness is consistent fluid intake throughout the day. “Hydrating throughout the day, especially the kiddos that are in school and then going to play sports afterwards, is very helpful,” she said. She recommends that students carry water bottles to class, refill them regularly and sip often, rather than waiting until they feel thirsty.
Know the early warning signs
Dr. Tano cautions that heat exhaustion can creep up quickly. Early symptoms include nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain and profuse sweating. When any of these appear, she advises athletes to stop activity, move to a cooler area and rehydrate immediately. More severe cases may progress to heat stroke, which adds altered mental status or confusion to the symptom list. “When they’re not acting like their normal selves, that’s a red flag for parents and coaches,” she explained.
Replace lost salts and electrolytes
Plain water is essential, but sweat also depletes the body of salts and electrolytes. Dr. Tano suggests that older teens and athletes engaged in prolonged exertion consider sports drinks or electrolyte solutions to prevent muscle cramps and nausea. She emphasizes that these replacements should complement, not replace, regular water intake.
Practical steps for families and schools
Beyond drinking, Dr. Tano recommends several simple practices: schedule regular water breaks, provide shaded rest areas, and monitor the weather forecast for heat advisories. Coaches should educate their teams on recognizing symptoms and empower players to speak up if they feel unwell. Parents can ask their children how they feel after practice and verify that water bottles are filled and used.
Community awareness is improving
Dr. Tano notes that awareness about heat safety has grown in recent years, thanks to school nurse programs and public‑health campaigns. Nevertheless, she stresses that vigilance must continue, especially as climate patterns bring hotter days earlier in the season. “It’s a shared responsibility,” she said. “Parents, coaches, and school staff all play a role in keeping our children safe while they pursue the sports they love.”
As South Florida’s summer heat persists, the message is clear: proactive hydration and early symptom recognition are the best tools to protect young athletes from the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
